However, domestic coal prices have eased in recent months, even as China enters its peak demand season over winter, with utilities sitting on record coal stocks amid a slowdown in electricity demand growth

By refusing to hike interest rates at a time of downward pressure on the rupee, RBI has signalled that further depreciation of the rupee would be quite in order. That is the surest way to curb imports across the board.

Data from the Central Electricity Authority shows total coal consumption by the power sector in August was around 50 million tonnes — one million tonne more than in July this year and at the same level of August 2017.

On Friday, the Korea Customs Office (KCS) said that the three South Korean business organisations brought in 35,038 tons of North Korean coal and pig iron worth 6.6 billion won (USD 5.86 million) between April and October last year